Al-Ittihad coach Nuno Santo expects 'difficult' opening game in King Salman Club Cup

JEDDAH: Al-Ittihad will get back to competitive action on Thursday, interestingly since bringing home the Saudi Pro League in May, when they face Esperance de Tunis in their initial Gathering A clash at the 2023 King Salman Club Cup in Taif.

On Wednesday night, Al-Ittihad coach Nuno Espirito Santo said he expects that it should be a difficult game.

"Up until this point, the crew of Al-Ittihad has not been totally finished, and we are anticipating the appearance of different players to the roaster of the group," he said.

The Al-Ittihad fans' fervor knows no bounds as they chase triumphs and titles, fueled by their recent Saudi Expert Association victory. We will work with our full power in this competition to fulfill them.

Having undergone rigorous training in Taif over the past few weeks, our team is brimming with anticipation and determination to bring glory and excellence to this esteemed club.

He said he has been informed by the club's proprietors that as of late marked global stars, including Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kanti and Jota, are accessible for determination.

Concerning resistance, Santo said: "I followed the last four matches of Esperance and I understand what they need and what are the qualities of this group. The showdown will be difficult."

Al-Ittihad's striker Romarino confidently declared, "With the addition of new players, we are assembling an incredible squad ready to compete for the coveted cup with full force."

The Tunisian side's head coach, Moine Chaabani, said the planning of the opposition, otherwise called the Bedouin Club Champions Cup, is not so great for his group, which is going through a momentary period after the flight of central members and as the marking of new players go on throughout the late spring move window.

"The Middle Eastern title presents a golden opportunity for our team to start afresh, find our way back to success, and the door to triumph is well within our reach with extraordinary stars," he said.

He noticed that Esperance have the best record in the competition, having won it multiple times and runners-up  two times, and said this offers a motivation for new and more youthful players to move forward, alongside a valuable chance to acquire insight.

"We are confronting an extremely impressive group, which incorporates extraordinary names like Benzema and Kanti, however we will play to overcome them," Chaabani added.

The game will start off at King Fahd Stadiumin Taif at 10 p.m. local time. Al-Ittihad runners-up to Moroccan side Raja Club Athletic of Casablanca in the previous Club Champions Cup, in 2020. The Saudis lost 4-3 on punishments in the last, after the game finished 4-4.